ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – Several months ago, it seemed inconceivable that Jeremy Beal would have to wait any longer than the second day to be selected.

He sat on the board until 246 picks had passed.

“It was a long day,” he said.

But after a productive college career, Beal was doomed by some struggles during Senior Bowl week and a Combine workout that saw him run the 40-yard dash in 5.16 seconds — more like what you’d expect from an interior offensive lineman than an edge rusher whose size indicates a fit as a 3-4 outside linebacker or a pass-rush specialist end in the 4-3.

“It was very interesting because Beal had very good grades in the fall, and he was a productive guy,” Broncos general manager Brian Xanders added after the draft ended. “This guy’s production was the same as (first-round pick) Ryan Kerrigan’s.”

About Andrew Mason

Andrew Mason has covered the NFL since 1999, when he worked as an editor on NFL.com when the site was managed by ESPN.com. He worked six seasons (2002-07) covering the Broncos on their official website and two (2008-09) on the Panthers' site. He began MaxDenver.com in 2010 and now contributes to CBSSports.com, The Sporting News and The New York Times.